Surface coating apparatus



NOV. 7, 1933. R, MOORE 4 1,934,552

SURFACE COATING APPARATUS Filed March 8, 1953 ,477'02/VEY5 Patented Nov.7, 1933 PATENT OFFICE SURFACE COATING APPARATUS Robert A. Moore,Cleveland, Ohio, assignor of one-tenth to William J. Wesseler, EastCleveland, Ohio Application March 8, 1933. Serial No. 660,068

6 Claims.

This invention as indicated relates to a surface coating apparatus. Moreparticularly, it comprises an apparatus peculiarly adapted to theplacing of stripes upon various articles. It is also suitable forapplying a coating in elongated strips of various widths. The filmapplied to the surface may comprise paints of various character in thebroad sense, including lacquers, bronzes, and also oxide pastes. Suchoxide pastes are used in connection with enamelware ornamentation or onvitreous surfaces, and heretofore have offered difficulties inconnection with phi their decoration during manufacture, for the reasonthat stencils or templates were used and the material was appliedthrough a single opening in order to sufiiciently protect the margins.Where a plurality of closely juxtaposed parallel stripes under thisprior practice are to be placed about an article, as is most frequentlyrequired in the ornamentation thereof, a single stripe is placed and isthen subjected to the burning operation in a furnace and thereafter theoperation of striping and burning is repeated for each stripe, entailingmuch expense for labor and handling as well as for the burningoperation. With the present device, articles of this character can bestriped with any required number of parallel stripes and the entireseries of stripes can be burned in with a single heat in the furnace.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcoating tool for applying films of coating of various materials'to asurface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool peculiarly adaptedfor applying stripes of any desired width and operating efiiciently toprovide very broad stripes as well as onstripes of such degree offineness of line that they are entirely impractical for application to asurface by a striping brush in the manner now generally used in theindustry. The fineness of line possible with the apparatus is adequatefor use in a draftsmans tool, whereby a constant supply of ink may bemade available without the loss of time anddifflculty of keeping theinstruments clean, as is presented when a bow pen is used for likeoperations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reservoir feeding bygravity against the outer surface of a feed roll or wheel having asurface especially prepared to receive a film of coating material and toplace the same against the surface to be covered as a continuousoperation with sharp clean-cut edges.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surface coating toolhaving an applicator roll or wheel contacting directly with the surfaceat one side thereof and contacting directly with the fluid in thereservoir at another side thereof and carrying about its periphery inthe form of parallel capillary filaments the material to be applied tosuch surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a film applying roll orwheel carrying about its circumference a series of parallel groovespreferably so closely positioned to each other as to form capillarychannels to hold minute filaments of liquid within the spaces betweenthe dividing members and to carry such filaments of liquid into contactwith the surface to be coated and placing the same into contact withsuch surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable reservoir ofsuitable size together with a feeding channel and a roll or wheelsupported adjustably with reference thereto preferably with a micrometeradjustment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a surface coating toolhaving a coating wheel supplied from a reservoir and having a handleadjustable to various angular positions with reference thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool having a handleformed with a sleeve adapted for a slight degree of motion about thehandle shank in a rotary direction to compensate for the personal factorof the user, such as slight vibration or unsteadiness introduced throughbreathing usually preventing mechanically accurate striping and thelike.

Another object of the invention is to provide a micrometer adjustmentbetwen the capillary feed roll or wheel and the reservoir whereby thespacing between said elements may be regulated to microscopic clearancessuitable for handling any type of film to be applied to the surface.

Other and further objects'of the invention will appear in the course ofthe following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying theinvention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but several ofthe various forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing a striping tool with a fountainreservoir shown partly in section at the side thereof;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in Figure 1 with thefountain reservoir omitted and the handle being indicated in a secondposition of adjustment;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional detail view, taken alongthe line 3-3 shown in Figure 2, looking inthe direction of the arrowsand showing the lower portion of the device, and the connection 'of thefountain reservoir with the liquid supply chamber;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the body portion of the apparatus as seenalong the line 4--4, shown in Figure 1, looking in the direction of thearrows with the handle yoke being shown in section; Figure 5 is anenlarged sectional detail view of the device, as seen along the line5-5, shown in Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, taken along the line 6-6, shownin Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure '7 is a side elevation of a modified form of striping tool with afountain reservoir shown at the front thereof and showing a guide memberin operative adjustment on the handle portion.

In the form of construction shown in Figures 1 to 6 of the drawing, theapparatus comprises a body member 1 having a transverse recess adjacentits lower portion preferably in the form of a cylindrical chamber 2 openat one side to provide a passageway for coating fiuid. Side plates 3, 4,of slightly less width than the width of the body side are secured inshallow channels to the respective sides of the body by means of screws5, 6, respectively, which engage in screwthreaded openings within thebody, which as shown in Figure 3 may comprise a continuousscrew-threaded bore '7 extending completely through the body parallel toand spaced slightly above the reservoir. The side platesare providedwith enlarged openings 8, 9, at the points where the respective screws5, 6, pass through the same to afford sufficient clearance to allow themicrometer adjustment presently to be described before such screws areturned to clamping adjustment. The side plates extend downwardly belowthe body member and are provided with alined openings 11, 12, to providebearings for the stub shafts 13, 14, projecting outwardly from the hubbosses 15, 16, to the feed roll or wheel 17.

The feed roll is a structure particularly formed to receive a liquidcoating from areservoir or chamber, and to carry the same on its surfaceas a thin film or series of parallel filaments to the surface to becoated or other point of application which may include an intermediatetransfer to another roll or transfer surface as one element of a coatingprocess. It has been found that a suitable film transfer surface for thefeed roll may be provided by forming the same with parallelcircumferential grooves 18 closely juxtaposed and of narrow width. Thenumber of grooves and the width of each groove may vary to some extent,but each such groove must be fine enough to carry the liquid in the formof a filament within the same and to apply such filament to a surfacewithout forming an irregular margin or ragged edge on the stripe orstrip of coating material laid upon the surface. These grooves may bedesignated "capillary grooves" in view of their retaining the coatingliquid much after the manner of capillary tubes. T e roll surfacebetween the grooves is in the form of sharp thin edges which prevent theroll squeezing the film sidewise upon contact with a surface by thebottom portion of the roll. I The fine lines of contact of the parallelsharp edges on the roll cause no lines between the filaments afterapplication to the surface as the light transverse liquid fiowobliterates such lines immediately before the coating sets or reaches astate of repose upon the surface.

It has been found that by placing one hundred grooves to the inch a veryeffective liquid transfer surface can be provided, but the number may bevaried somewhat in accordance with the character of the liquid to beapplied.

A highly tempered steel roll has been found to be desirable and heattreatment at 1425 degrees F, has ben used to provide satisfactory rolls.As stated, lines may be formed of various widths. A line of an inch widecan be laid down as well as broad bands suitable for street markings. Inthe latter case, direct contact of the roll with the surface may beavoided by a scraper to remove the filmfrom the grooves and a brush toapply the same to the surface.

. The depth of the groove may be varied, but a depth of from .006 to.012 of an inch has been found satisfactory.

The supplying of liquid to the surface of the roll ispreferably-accomplished by forming a recess 21 in the bottom wall of theliquid chamber 2 of the body, such recess being of a size to conform tothe upper surface of the roll with a fractional portion of 'the rollpreferably projecting slightly above or in line with the bottom surfaceof the liquid chamber when the roll is clamped tightly against saidbottom face of the body. In this position the liquid chamber issubstantially sealed at the bottom.

A very slight outward movement of the roll will 1 5 permit the roll torotate and carry a thin film of liquid on its surface. This adjustmentof the roll toward or away from the bottom of the liquid chamber isaccomplished by means of adjusting screws 22, 23, having fine threadsengaging thread- 20 ed sockets 24, 25, in the top of the body, and eachcarrying around its upper end an extension collar 26, 27, respectively,which is received in a lateral recess 28, 29, respectively in the upperinner portions of the side plates 3 and 4 which project 5 slightly abovethe top of the body member. Suitable slots 31, 32, in the top of thescrews permit micrometer adjustment of the plates and their associatedroll, the parts when adjusted being clamped by means of the screws 5, 6.

The fountain reservoir preferably comprises a cylindrical member 33 withan inclined lower wall 34 sloping toward a nipple adapted to be receivedin an aperture 35 and frictionally held in the side plate 3 in alinementwith the fluid chamber 2. 135 The reservoir is closed at the top bymeans of a cap 36 having a fiange fitting within the open top of thefountain reservoir and provided with an air vent 37.

Various types of handles may be used, but the he type shown in Figures1, 2 and 4, is preferable, comprising a yoke 41 pivoted on screws 42,43, engaged in the side plates 3 and 4. The handle proper comprises ashank 44 having a screw threaded lower portion engaged by a collar 45adapted to be adjusted into clamping engagement with a guide memberwhich may be engaged through a transverse hole 46 immediately above thescrew-threaded portion of the handle. A knurled sleeve 47 is engagedover the handle shank having a slot or notch 48 to provide for the shankof a screw ,49 having a head 51 adapted to overlie the adjacent portionof the sleeve and clamp the- The modified form of construction showninFigure '7 has substantially all the elements heretofore described, butprovides an aperture in the front wall 81 of the body to receive thenipple of the fountain reservoir 62. The handle 53 is shown as applieddirectly to the rearward wall 64 of the body. The guide member 65 in theform of a bent wire member is shown inoperative position, The loosesleeve on the handle is omitted ifiein the showing in Figure 7, but itis to be understood could be used if desired on this structure as wellas the other forms described.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismdisclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims orthe equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus of the character described having, in combination, abody, a chamber with in said body for a coating liquid, a dischargeopening for said liquid in the base of said chamber and presenting anelongated concave recess across a portion of its under surface, a rollerof like curvature to said recess, a pair of plates on opposite sides ofsaid body and non-rotatable with reference thereto for pivotallysupporting said roller with a portion thereof engaged within said recessand holding said roller in axial parallelism with said recess, and meansfor positively moving said plates to change the position of said rollerwith reference to said discharge opening.

2. An apparatus of the character described having, in combination, abody, a chamber within said body for a coating liquid, a dischargeopening for said liquid in the base of said chamber and presenting anelongated concave recess across a portion of its under surface, a rollerof like curvature to said recess, a pair of plates on opposite sides ofsaid body for pivotally supporting said roller with a portion thereofengaged within said recess, meansfor positively moving said plates tochange the position of said roller with reference to said dischargeopening, and means for locking said side plates againstmovement.

3. An apparatus of the character described having, in combination, abody, a chamber within said body for a coating liquid, a dischargeopening for said liquid in the base of said chamber and presenting'anelongated concave recess across a portion of its under surface, a rollerof like curvature to said recess, a pair of plates on opposite sides ofsaid body and projecting above and below the same for pivotallysupporting said roller with'a'portion thereof engaged within said.recess at one end of said side plates, respectively,

concave recesses in the inner faces of the respectiveside plates attheir oppositeends, a pairof adjusting screws'engaging screw-threadedsockets in the top .of said body, an enlarged collar on each of saidadjusting screws adjacent its upper end and having a portion thereofprojecting into said recesses, respectively, for frictional engagementwith the upper and lower walls of said recesses to adjust .said sidemembers to vary the position of said roller.

4. An apparatus of the character described having, in combination, abody, a chamber within said body for a coating liquid, a dischargeopening for said liquid in the base of said chamber and presenting anelongated concave recess across a portion of its under surface, a rollerof like curvature to said recess, a plurality of closely positionedparallel groovesabout the circumference of said roller to transferliquid from said chamber to a surface to be coated, a pair of plates onopposite sides of said body for pivotally supporting said roller with aportion thereof engaged within said recess, and means for positivelymoving said plates to change the position of said roller with referenceto said discharge opening.

5. An apparatus of the character described having, in combination, abody, a chamber within said body for a coating liquid, a dischargeopening for said liquid in the base of said chamber and presenting anelongated concave recess across a portion of its under surface, a rollerof like curvature to said'recess having a cylindrical outer surface anda plurality of closely positioned parallel grooves f ormed about saidcylindrical surface from one end to the other thereof, a pair of plateson opposite sides of said body and nonrotatable with reference theretofor'pivotally supporting said roller with a portion thereof engagedwithin said recess and holding said roller in axial parallelism withsaid recess, and means for positively moving said plates to change theposition of said roller with reference to said discharge opening.

6. An apparatus of the character described having, in combination, abody. achamber within said body for a coating liquid, a dischargeopening for said liquid in the base of said chamber and presenting anelongated concave recess across a portion of its under surface, a rollerof like curvature to said recess having a cylindrical outer I surfaceand a plurality of closely positioned parallel grooves formed about saidcylindrical surface from one end to the other thereof, said groovesbeing of shallow depth and of a width of from .001 to .0012 of an inch,9. pair of plates on opposite sides of said body and non-rotatable with

